Curiosity rover | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/science/curiosity-rover
Articles and multimedia about Nasa's Mars Curiosity rover, which is part of the space agency's Mars Science Laboratory mission to discover whether conditions on the red planet were ever suitable for lifeen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017Tue, 26 Sep 2017 22:31:33 GMT2017-09-26T22:31:33Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
Another discovery of water in space – how boring. We must search for alien life | Stuart Clarkhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/28/discovery-water-jupiter-space-alien-life-europa
The latest find on Jupiter’s moon Europa offers the potential to really look for life. It’s not time to shy away – and Nasa needs to rise to the challenge<p>For a decade now, the Nasa mantra for looking for life in outer space is to “<a href="http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/everydaylife/jamestown-water-fs.html" title="">follow the water</a>”. In the beginning, this was a valid way to identify the places where we should then start searching. Each new discovery of “water” is automatically paired with a statement that this increases the chance of finding alien life. But in recent years – the latest example being the discovery of water this week on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/sep/26/jupiter-europa-water-plumes-nasa" title="">Jupiter’s moon Europa</a> – we have been hearing it so often that it is starting to become boring.</p><p>The evidence for water on celestial bodies such as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/sep/28/nasa-scientists-find-evidence-flowing-water-mars" title="">Mars</a>, Europa and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/oct/22/spacewatch-clark-saturn-moon-enceladus-water-plumes-cassini-flyby" title="">Saturn’s moon Enceladus</a> is now overwhelming. It is time to take the next step and actually look for life itself.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/sep/26/jupiter-europa-water-plumes-nasa">Jupiter's moon Europa may expel water plumes from under icy shell, Nasa says</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/27/stephen-hawking-light-years-dangerous-aliens">Why Stephen Hawking is light years from the truth about ‘dangerous aliens’ | Seth Shostak</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/28/discovery-water-jupiter-space-alien-life-europa">Continue reading...</a>Alien lifeSpaceScienceJupiterNasaCuriosity roverMarsEuropean Space AgencyAstronomyWorld newsWed, 28 Sep 2016 11:20:30 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/28/discovery-water-jupiter-space-alien-life-europaPhotograph: HO/APPhotograph: HO/APStuart Clark2016-09-28T11:20:30ZFive Mars discoveries that transformed our understanding of the red planethttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/nov/05/five-mars-discoveries-that-transformed-our-understanding-of-the-red-planet
<p>From ancient lakes to a stripped atmosphere, the planet has given up several secrets in 2015 thanks to the Curiosity rover and teams all around the Earth</p><p>With a rover trundling over red soil, a spacecraft diving through the atmosphere and teams at work all around the Earth, Mars has given up a string of secrets to Nasa in the last year. Here are some of the major discoveries of 2015.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/nov/05/five-mars-discoveries-that-transformed-our-understanding-of-the-red-planet">Continue reading...</a>MarsNasaCuriosity roverScienceSpaceThu, 05 Nov 2015 21:15:19 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/nov/05/five-mars-discoveries-that-transformed-our-understanding-of-the-red-planetPhotograph: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization StudioPhotograph: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization StudioAlan Yuhas in New York2015-11-05T21:15:19ZMars lakes may have existed long enough for life to evolve, scientists sayhttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/oct/08/mars-lakes-may-have-existed-long-enough-for-life-to-evolve-scientists-say
<p>Nasa researchers believe some ancient lakes could have lasted for up to 10,000 years, which was enough time for life forms to take hold</p><p>Ancient lakes that came and went over millions of years in the Gale crater basin on Mars may have persisted long enough for life to evolve in them, researchers have said.</p><p>Nasa scientists analysed fresh images sent back from the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/curiosity-rover">Curiosity rover</a> and found evidence of lakes in the basin that lasted for up to 10,000 years at a time – potentially long enough to support life.<br tabindex="-1"></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/oct/08/how-to-find-life-on-mars">How to find life on Mars</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/oct/04/mars-hunt-for-water-deep-solar-system-titan-europa">After Mars, hunt for water and life goes deep into the solar system</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/oct/08/mars-lakes-may-have-existed-long-enough-for-life-to-evolve-scientists-say">Continue reading...</a>MarsNasaSpaceCuriosity roverScienceAstronomyWorld newsThu, 08 Oct 2015 18:06:58 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/oct/08/mars-lakes-may-have-existed-long-enough-for-life-to-evolve-scientists-sayPhotograph: Demotix/CorbisPhotograph: Demotix/CorbisIan Sample Science editor2015-10-08T18:06:58ZWater on Mars: Nasa faces contamination dilemma over future investigationshttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/sep/29/nasa-crossroads-mars-water-without-contamination-curiosity-rover
<p>Curiosity rover already on red planet cannot study streaks left by flowing water because it could be carrying bugs from Earth</p><p>Nasa scientists may still be celebrating their discovery of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/sep/28/nasa-scientists-find-evidence-flowing-water-mars">liquid water on Mars</a>, but they now face some serious questions about how they can investigate further and look for signs of life on the red planet.</p><p>The problem is how to find life without contaminating the planet with bugs from Earth.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/29/the-guardian-view-on-the-discovery-of-liquid-water-on-mars-cause-for-great-celebration">The Guardian view on the discovery of liquid water on Mars: cause for great celebration | Editorial</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/sep/29/nasa-crossroads-mars-water-without-contamination-curiosity-rover">Continue reading...</a>MarsScienceNasaCuriosity roverSpaceUS newsWorld newsWed, 30 Sep 2015 06:07:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/sep/29/nasa-crossroads-mars-water-without-contamination-curiosity-roverPhotograph: NASA/ReutersPhotograph: NASA/ReutersIan Sample Science editor2015-09-30T06:07:49ZBrian Cox: ‘Scientists aren’t priests of knowledge. They’re like plumbers’https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/14/brian-cox-interview-royal-society
The new face of science at the Royal Society talks about taking on Einstein, TV versus teaching, and why not everything he posts on Twitter should be taken seriously<p><strong>Summer’s here, students are heading off – what are you working on?</strong></p><p>The last paper I published was a really theoretical paper with three colleagues and it was stimulated by a popular book I wrote with Jeff Forshaw about quantum mechanics. [There is] this strange feature of quantum theory that it <em>appears</em> to not care about <a href="http://www.space.com/28738-einstein-theory-of-relativity-explained-infgraphic.html">Einstein’s theory of relativity</a> – it does care about it but it <em>appears</em> that you can do things at some place in the universe and in principle the whole universe seems to respond. We got interested in using all the modern machinery of quantum field theory [to ask] how does that play out, how does it actually work? What stops you from doing strange things and influencing the whole universe from your little position here on Earth? We are still working on it. We’ve published one of the papers; there are another couple in the pipeline.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/oct/14/brian-cox-guide-citizen-scientist">Brian Cox’s guide to becoming a citizen scientist</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/may/05/large-hadron-collider-makes-first-proton-collisions-in-two-years">Large Hadron Collider makes first proton collisions in two years</a> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The most important attribute for a 'real scientist', as you put it <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepakChopra">@DeepakChopra</a> , is to actually understand some science.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/14/brian-cox-interview-royal-society">Continue reading...</a>Brian CoxScienceParticle physicsPeople in sciencePhysicsAstronomyCernHiggs bosonLarge Hadron ColliderMarsSpaceRoyal SocietyRosetta space probeCuriosity roverNasaJo JohnsonPoliticsSun, 14 Jun 2015 06:30:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/14/brian-cox-interview-royal-societyPhotograph: Richard Saker/ObserverBrian Cox: 'science isn't about absolutes – it's about honesty' Photograph: Richard Saker for the ObserverPhotograph: Richard Saker/ObserverBrian Cox: 'science isn't about absolutes – it's about honesty' Photograph: Richard Saker for the ObserverInterview by Nicola Davis2015-06-14T06:30:05ZNasa's Curiosity rover finds water below surface of Marshttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/apr/13/nasas-curiosity-rover-finds-water-below-surface-of-mars
<p>New measurements from the Gale crater contradict theories that the planet is too cold for liquid water to exist, but Mars still considered hostile to life </p><p>Mars has liquid water just below its surface, according to new measurements by Nasa’s Curiosity rover.</p><p> Until now, scientists had thought that conditions on the red planet were too cold and arid for liquid water to exist, although there were known to be deposits of ice.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/dec/17/methane-mars-curiosity-rover-life">Methane on Mars: does it mean the Curiosity rover has found life?</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/apr/13/nasas-curiosity-rover-finds-water-below-surface-of-mars">Continue reading...</a>ScienceMarsCuriosity roverNasaSpaceMon, 13 Apr 2015 15:42:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/apr/13/nasas-curiosity-rover-finds-water-below-surface-of-marsIllustration: Stocktrek Images, Inc./AlamyIllustration: Stocktrek Images, Inc./AlamyHannah Devlin, science correspondent2015-04-13T15:42:13ZNasa finds evidence of a vast ancient ocean on Marshttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/mar/05/nasa-finds-evidence-of-a-vast-ancient-ocean-on-mars
<p>A huge primitive ocean covered one-fifth of the red planet’s surface, making it warm, wet and ideal for alien life to gain a foothold, scientists say</p><p>A massive ancient ocean once covered nearly half of the northern hemisphere of Mars making the planet a more promising place for alien life to have gained a foothold, Nasa scientists say.</p><p>The huge body of water spread over a fifth of the planet’s surface, as great a portion as the Atlantic covers the Earth, and was a mile deep in places. In total, the ocean held 20 million cubic kilometres of water, or more than is found in the Arctic Ocean, the researchers found.<br></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/dec/17/methane-mars-curiosity-rover-life">Methane on Mars: does it mean the Curiosity rover has found life?</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/mar/05/nasa-finds-evidence-of-a-vast-ancient-ocean-on-mars">Continue reading...</a>MarsAlien lifeGeologySpaceScienceAstronomyNasaWorld newsCuriosity roverEuropean Space AgencyThu, 05 Mar 2015 19:00:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/mar/05/nasa-finds-evidence-of-a-vast-ancient-ocean-on-marsPhotograph: Geronimo Villanueva/NasaPhotograph: Geronimo Villanueva/NasaIan Sample, science editor2015-03-05T19:00:08ZMars rover Curiosity halts its work after short circuithttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/mar/04/mars-rover-curiosity-halts-its-work-after-short-circuit
<p> Nasa engineers investigate problem that has stopped the rover’s robotic arm, with testing expected to take days<br></p><p>The Curiosity rover has temporarily stopped work on Mars while Nasa engineers investigate a short circuit.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/dec/17/methane-mars-curiosity-rover-life">Methane on Mars: does it mean the Curiosity rover has found life?</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/mar/04/mars-rover-curiosity-halts-its-work-after-short-circuit">Continue reading...</a>Curiosity roverNasaMarsSpaceScienceWed, 04 Mar 2015 00:19:35 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/mar/04/mars-rover-curiosity-halts-its-work-after-short-circuitPhotograph: Nasa/JPL-Caltech/PAPhotograph: Nasa/JPL-Caltech/PAAssociated Press2015-03-04T00:19:35ZAmerica is colder than Mars. Some parts of it, anywayhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/08/america-colder-than-mars-gale-crater
<p>According to data collected by the Curiosity Rover, the Gale crater is currently warmer than most of the northern US despite being 50m km farther from the Sun</p><p>According to figures from Nasa, parts of the northern United States are currently experiencing temperatures considerably colder than those on Mars.</p><p>The high “air” temperature on Mars, according to<a href="http://mars.nasa.gov/msl/mission/instruments/environsensors/rems/"> the latest data</a> from Nasa’s Curiosity Rover, occurring in the Gale crater near the Red Planet’s equator, hit a balmy daytime high of 17.6F (-8C).</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/08/america-colder-than-mars-gale-crater">Continue reading...</a>US weatherMarsCuriosity roverClimate changeNasaSpaceScienceUS newsThu, 08 Jan 2015 22:53:54 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/08/america-colder-than-mars-gale-craterPhotograph: Stocktrek Images, Inc. /AlamyPhotograph: Stocktrek Images, Inc. /AlamyNicky Woolf in New York2015-01-08T22:53:54ZMethane on Mars: does it mean the Curiosity rover has found life?https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/dec/17/methane-mars-curiosity-rover-life
Nasa’s announcement of the discovery of methane – which on Earth comes largely from life – has sparked speculation<p>The results are certainly tantalising. From time to time, Mars belches out clouds of methane, a gas that on Earth comes largely from life. When animals and other organisms eat food they produce methane as a waste gas. From one end or the other, that gas ultimately finds its way out into the air.</p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/dec/16/methane-spikes-mars-fuel-speculation-life-nasa-curiosity" title="">Nasa’s announcement on Tuesday that its Curiosity rover had detected wafts of methane</a> in the Martian air was met with immediate speculation that life might be the source. It might. Communities of microbes could be living under the Martian surface and churning out the gas. Perhaps the corpses of long-extinct bugs are being heated in the Martian interior and vaporised into methane. But any number of other processes that involve nothing as spectacular as life can and do make methane too. The problem is that detecting methane alone is never enough to answer the question of whether or not we are alone.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/dec/17/methane-mars-curiosity-rover-life">Continue reading...</a>MarsCuriosity roverNasaSpaceScienceWed, 17 Dec 2014 18:52:31 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/dec/17/methane-mars-curiosity-rover-lifePhotograph: Nasa/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/EPANasa's Curiosity rover found methane at about 1 part per billion in Mars's atmosphere, 4,000 times less than in Earth's air. Photograph: Nasa/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/EPAPhotograph: Nasa/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/EPANasa's Curiosity rover found methane at about 1 part per billion in Mars's atmosphere, 4,000 times less than in Earth's air. Photograph: Nasa/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/EPAIan Sample, science editor2014-12-17T18:52:31ZCuriosity rover's discovery of methane ‘spikes’ fuels speculation of life on Marshttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/dec/16/methane-spikes-mars-fuel-speculation-life-nasa-curiosity
<p>Nasa’s rover measures fluctuations of gas not easily explained by geology or organic material dropped by meteorites</p><p>Nasa’s robotic rover, Curiosity, has detected fluctuating wafts of methane on Mars, fuelling speculation that the gas may be coming from a form of life on the red planet.</p><p>An instrument on the six-wheeled robot measured mysterious spikes of methane that cannot easily be explained by geology or organic material transported to the planet by comets or asteroids.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/dec/16/methane-spikes-mars-fuel-speculation-life-nasa-curiosity">Continue reading...</a>MarsSpaceScienceNasaCuriosity roverWed, 17 Dec 2014 08:35:15 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/dec/16/methane-spikes-mars-fuel-speculation-life-nasa-curiosityPhotograph: Stocktrek Images/AlamyThe sun rises over Gale Crater on Mars where the Curiosity rover detected the methane fluctuations. Photograph: Stocktrek Images/AlamyPhotograph: Stocktrek Images/AlamyThe sun rises over Gale Crater on Mars where the Curiosity rover detected the methane fluctuations. Photograph: Stocktrek Images/AlamyIan Sample and agencies2014-12-17T08:35:15ZNasa's Maven spacecraft could solve mystery of Mars's missing water | Stuart Clarkhttps://www.theguardian.com/science/across-the-universe/2014/sep/22/nasa-maven-spacecraft-mars-missing-water
<p>Mars was once awash with water. With the arrival of Nasa’s Maven mission at the red planet, we may finally be close to working out where it all went</p><p>You might not have heard of Nasa’s latest Mars mission. Unlike the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/across-the-universe/2012/aug/06/curiosity-mars-rover-peanuts">hoopla</a> that surrounded the arrival and landing of their 2012 Curiosity Rover, Maven has slipped into orbit relatively quietly. It will not land on the surface but, arguably, is the more important of the two missions.</p><p>If it achieves its scientific goals it could allow scientists to make full sense of Curiosity’s individual discoveries.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/across-the-universe/2014/sep/22/nasa-maven-spacecraft-mars-missing-water">Continue reading...</a>AstronomySpaceMarsNasaCuriosity roverScienceMon, 22 Sep 2014 12:45:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/across-the-universe/2014/sep/22/nasa-maven-spacecraft-mars-missing-waterPhotograph: APNASA's MAVEN spacecraft is now in orbit around Mars. It joins a growing flotilla of other spacecraft there.Photograph: APNASA's MAVEN spacecraft is now in orbit around Mars. It joins a growing flotilla of other spacecraft there.Stuart Clark2014-09-22T12:45:04ZNasa's Curiosity rover finds large iron meteorite on Mars | Stuart Clarkhttps://www.theguardian.com/science/across-the-universe/2014/jul/16/nasa-curiosity-rover-iron-meteorite-mars
<p>The iron meteorite discovered by the Curiosity rover must once have been at the heart of a growing planet that was shattered aeons ago<br></p><p>The meteorite is made of iron and about 2 metres long, which is about the width of the Nasa rover that found it. It is the first meteorite that Curiosity has found on Mars. Scientists have named it Lebanon – presumably because of its shape.</p><p>Meteorites are lumps of rock and metal that fall from space and impact the surface of a planet. They are time capsules, usually representing the shattered fragments of doomed worlds from the beginning of our solar system.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/across-the-universe/2014/jul/16/nasa-curiosity-rover-iron-meteorite-mars">Continue reading...</a>MarsCuriosity roverNasaAstronomyScienceSpaceWed, 16 Jul 2014 12:58:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/across-the-universe/2014/jul/16/nasa-curiosity-rover-iron-meteorite-marsPhotograph: NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL/CNES/IRAP/LPGNantes/CNRS/IAS/MSSSNASA Curiosity rover has found a large iron meteorite on Mars, almost as big as the rover itself. Scientists have named the rock Lebanon. Photograph: NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL/CNES/IRAP/LPGNantes/CNRS/IAS/MSSSPhotograph: NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL/CNES/IRAP/LPGNantes/CNRS/IAS/MSSSNASA Curiosity rover has found a large iron meteorite on Mars, almost as big as the rover itself. Scientists have named the rock Lebanon. Photograph: NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL/CNES/IRAP/LPGNantes/CNRS/IAS/MSSSStuart Clark2014-07-16T12:58:00ZTop 10 science and tech books for July: inventions, Intel and chimpanzeeshttps://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jul/15/science-tech-book-reviews-july
From the dangers of machine intelligence to the creation of a global computer giant and the plight of endangered primates<p><strong>Ben Russell</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jul/15/science-tech-book-reviews-july">Continue reading...</a>Science and natureBooksComputingTechnologyScienceHondaIntelSolar powerCuriosity roverMarsCultureComputing and the netTue, 15 Jul 2014 13:00:28 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jul/15/science-tech-book-reviews-julyPhotograph: GettyJames Watt (1736-1819) is best known for inventing the steam engine, but had a much bigger impact on the industrial revolution. Photograph: GettyPhotograph: GettyJames Watt (1736-1819) is best known for inventing the steam engine, but had a much bigger impact on the industrial revolution. Photograph: GettyRahul Rose2014-07-15T13:00:28ZMars: you can't put a price on discovering the new in our world – or others | Elizabeth Howellhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/11/mars-price-new-world-curiosity-rover-lake
The Mars Curiosity rover's awesome discovery of a lake that could have supported life has a value far beyond business terms<p>The desire to experience awe in some form, big or small, is, I have often observed, a fundamental driver of human endeavour. One of my relatives goes to the movies to find that perfect repeatable quote. Another friend is astounded by how quickly her baby twins pick things up from each other.</p><p>On a larger scale, that human search for awe leads into fields of science, philosophy and sometimes even politics. This desire for discovery naturally bleeds into space exploration, which in part seeks to answer how we came to be, and where we'll go. Is there another Earth circling a distant star? Does the red giant Betelgeuse contain information to help us understand our sun's future? And, as David Bowie famously put it, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v--IqqusnNQ" title="">is there life on Mars</a>?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/11/mars-price-new-world-curiosity-rover-lake">Continue reading...</a>Curiosity roverMarsSpaceScienceNasaAlien lifeBiologyUK newsWorld newsWed, 11 Dec 2013 11:02:55 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/11/mars-price-new-world-curiosity-rover-lakePhotograph: Stocktrek Images Inc/AlamyThe Curiosity rover descending into the Gale crater on Mars.
Photograph: Stocktrek Images Inc/AlamyPhotograph: Stocktrek Images Inc/AlamyThe Curiosity rover descending into the Gale crater on Mars.
Photograph: Stocktrek Images Inc/AlamyElizabeth Howell2013-12-11T11:02:55ZLake on Mars could have teemed with microbial lifehttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/dec/09/mars-lake-life-curiosity-rover-nasa
Minerals identified by Nasa's Curiosity Mars rover suggest lake contained water of low salinity and neutral pH suitable for life<p>An enormous crater near the northern plains of Mars once harboured an ancient lake that could have supported microbial life, Nasa scientists have claimed.</p><p>The freshwater lake stood for more than 100,000 years at the base of Gale crater, a 90-mile-wide formation created when a meteor hit the planet about 3.7bn years ago.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/dec/09/mars-lake-life-curiosity-rover-nasa">Continue reading...</a>Alien lifeMarsCuriosity roverBiologySpaceNasaScienceWorld newsMon, 09 Dec 2013 17:07:37 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/dec/09/mars-lake-life-curiosity-rover-nasaPhotograph: NasaCuriosity drilled into the Gale crater and found minerals that formed in fresh water and elements crucial for life. Photograph: NasaPhotograph: NasaCuriosity drilled into the Gale crater and found minerals that formed in fresh water and elements crucial for life. Photograph: NasaIan Sample, science correspondent2013-12-09T17:07:37ZScience Weekly podcast: Daniel M Davis on the immune system's wondershttps://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2013/sep/30/science-weekly-podcast-compatibility-gene
Professor Davis discusses his new book The Compatibility Gene, which explores the latest scientific understanding of the human immune system<p>This week on Science Weekly with <strong>Alok Jha</strong> we discover the immense complexity of the human immune system when we meet <strong><a href="http://www.davislab.ls.manchester.ac.uk/">Prof Daniel M Davis</a></strong> to discuss his new book <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Compatibility-Gene-Daniel-Davis/dp/1846145147">The Compatibility Gene</a>.</p><p>Alok is also joined by Guardian science correspondent <strong>Ian Sample</strong> and <strong>Prof Kate Jones</strong>, <a href="http://www.zsl.org/science/ioz-staff-students/jones,1087,AR.html">joint chair of ecology and biodiversity at University College London and the Zoological Society of London</a>. Kate discusses a recent Nature article exploring the science and ethics of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/sep/26/biologists-genetic-modification-endangered-species">species conservation using genetic modification</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2013/sep/30/science-weekly-podcast-compatibility-gene">Continue reading...</a>ImmunologyGeneticsScienceConservationHuman biologyFossilsSpaceCuriosity roverMarsNasaZoologyEndangered speciesEnvironmentWildlifeEvolutionMon, 30 Sep 2013 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2013/sep/30/science-weekly-podcast-compatibility-genePhotograph: Mopic / Alamy/AlamyDNA data will be more widely sold to private firms. Photograph: Mopic / Alamy/AlamyPhotograph: Mopic / Alamy/AlamyDNA data will be more widely sold to private firms. Photograph: Mopic / Alamy/AlamyPresented by Alok Jha and produced by Jason Phipps, with Prof Kate Jones and Ian Sample2013-09-30T04:00:00ZNasa's Curiosity rover finds water in Martian soilhttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/sep/26/nasa-curiosity-rover-mars-soil-water
Dirt sample reveals two pints of liquid water per cubic feet, not freely accessible but bound to other minerals in the soil<p>Water has been discovered in the fine-grained soil on the surface of Mars, which could be a useful resource for future human missions to the red planet, according to measurements made by Nasa's Curiosity rover.</p><p>Each cubic foot of Martian soil contains around two pints of liquid water, though the molecules are not freely accessible, but rather bound to other minerals in the soil.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/sep/26/nasa-curiosity-rover-mars-soil-water">Continue reading...</a>MarsSpaceScienceCuriosity roverNasaUS newsWorld newsThu, 26 Sep 2013 18:14:54 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/sep/26/nasa-curiosity-rover-mars-soil-waterPhotograph: Nasa/Getty ImagesNasa scientists have confirmed in a paper published in journal Science that Curiosity has found water molecules in Martian soil. Photograph: Nasa/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Nasa/Getty ImagesNasa scientists have confirmed in a paper published in journal Science that Curiosity has found water molecules in Martian soil. Photograph: Nasa/Getty ImagesAlok Jha, science correspondent2013-09-26T18:14:54ZCuriosity Mars rover hands in homework and gets top markshttps://www.theguardian.com/science/across-the-universe/2013/sep/26/mars-curiousity-rover-initial-findings-1
Curiosity's initial science results have now been officially published. Although we've heard the most newsworthy details before, this is still a big moment for the mission<p>On 6 August 2012, the most technically advanced geochemistry laboratory ever sent to the surface of another planet arrived at Mars. The audacity of the landing, which involved using a hovering 'sky-crane' to lower the car-sized Mars rover to the ground, captured the world's attention.</p><p>After 100 Martian days, each of which lasts approximately 24 hours 40 minutes, all of Curiosity's ten instruments had been tested and calibrated. Then the real work began. It included firing Curiosity's unique laser system more than 10,000 times. </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/across-the-universe/2013/sep/26/mars-curiousity-rover-initial-findings-1">Continue reading...</a>MarsNasaCuriosity roverAstronomyScienceThu, 26 Sep 2013 16:49:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/across-the-universe/2013/sep/26/mars-curiousity-rover-initial-findings-1Photograph: JPL/CaltechThe first official results from NASA's Mars Curiosity rover have now been published. Photograph: JPL/CaltechPhotograph: JPL/CaltechThe first official results from NASA's Mars Curiosity rover have now been published. Photograph: JPL/CaltechStuart Clark2013-09-26T16:49:00ZNasa's Mars Curiosity rover finds no sign of methane, the gas linked to lifehttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/sep/19/mars-curiosity-rover-finds-no-methane
Results appear to contradict previous studies that claimed to have found traces of methane emanating from surface of planet<p>Hopes that microbial life might be found on Mars looked a little dimmer on Thursday night after Nasa announced that its Curiosity rover had found no traces of methane in the tenuous atmosphere of the Red Planet.</p><p>The 900kg rover has been searching for evidence that the planet was once habitable since it touched down in the ancient Gale crater on Mars in August last year.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/sep/19/mars-curiosity-rover-finds-no-methane">Continue reading...</a>MarsNasaCuriosity roverUS newsSpaceThu, 19 Sep 2013 21:02:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/sep/19/mars-curiosity-rover-finds-no-methanePhotograph: Nasa/EPAThe base of Mount Sharp, the Curiosity rover's road trip destination on Mars. Photograph: Nasa/EPAPhotograph: Nasa/EPAThe base of Mount Sharp, the Curiosity rover's road trip destination on Mars. Photograph: Nasa/EPAIan Sample, science correspondent2013-09-19T21:02:00Z